Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a gaming machine comprising a gaming ball detection device for detecting a gaming ball having passed through a predetermined region of a gaming member provided on a gaming board, the gaming ball detection device comprising: magnetic flux generation means for generating a magnetic flux; and magnetic flux detection means for detecting a change in magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generation means, wherein the gaming member has a housing case in which the magnetic flux generation means and the magnetic flux detection means are housed side-by-side, facing the predetermined region, and the housing case is formed to have a cut-out shape in which a body of the housing case does not reach an extension of a line connecting a central point of the magnetic flux generation means with a central point of the gaming ball passing through the predetermined region, and the body of the housing case does not reach an extension of a line connecting a central point of the magnetic flux detection means with the central point of the gaming ball passing through the predetermined region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-189742 filed on Jun. 29, 2005.

The contents of that application are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine comprising a gaming ball detection device for detecting a gaming ball having passed through a predetermined region of a gaming member.

2. Discussion of the Background

As such a kind of conventional gaming machines, mentioned is a pachinko gaming machine. The gaming board face of this pachinko gaming machine is provided with a starting winning opening, a regular winning opening and a special winning opening, which a gaming ball can enter. These winning openings are provided with a passing ball sensor for detecting passage of the gaming ball. When the gaming ball enters these winning openings and is detected by the passing ball sensor, gaming balls are disbursed from a ball tank to an upper tray through a ball channel, allowing a player to obtain a predetermined profit.

JP-A 8-112402 discloses a pachinko ball detection sensor for detecting passage of such gaming balls. In this detection sensor, a detection channel through which a gaming ball to be detected passes is formed with an opening in a through hole state, in a case. A magnetic field generation means and a Hall element are provided in the case such that they are positioned to face each other across the detection channel. A Hall voltage higher than a threshold voltage is detected and a “H” level detection signal is outputted when the gaming ball is passing through the detection channel. A Hall voltage lower than a threshold voltage is detected and a “L” level detection signal is outputted when the gaming ball is not passing through the detection channel.

However, in such a conventional passing ball sensor disclosed in JP-A 8-112402, the magnetic field generation means and the Hall element are provided in the case such that they face each other across the detection channel, and thereby the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic field generation means reaches to the Hall element effectively. Therefore, a case body in such a conventional passing ball sensor needs portions, at which the magnetic field generation means and the Hall element are provided, across the through-hole, and therefore the case body becomes inevitably large. And positions, at which the magnetic field generation means and the Hall element are provided, are limited and production costs of such a case are expensive.

The contents of JP-A 8-112402 are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in order to solve the problem described above. And the present invention is a gaming machine comprising a gaming ball detection device for detecting a gaming ball having passed through a predetermined region of a gaming member provided on a gaming board, wherein the gaming ball detection device comprises: magnetic flux generation means for generating a magnetic flux; and magnetic flux detection means for detecting a change in magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generation means, the gaming member has a housing case in which the magnetic flux generation means and the magnetic flux detection means are housed side-by-side, facing the predetermined region, the housing case is formed to have a cut-out shape in which a body of the housing case does not reach an extension of a line connecting a central point of the magnetic flux generation means with a central point of the gaming ball passing through the predetermined region, and the body of the housing case does not reach an extension of a line connecting a central point of the magnetic flux detection means with the central point of the gaming ball passing through the predetermined region.

According to this configuration, the housing case is formed to have a shape in which a through hole having the predetermined region through which the gaming ball passes and having been formed surrounding the gaming ball, is cut out. Therefore, positions, at which the magnetic flux generation means and the magnetic flux detection means are provided, are not limited to conventional positions, where they face each other, and thereby the housing case can be miniaturized. Such a miniaturization of the housing case reduces production costs of the housing case. The housing case has fewer projections because of the cut-out shape, whereby not to interfere with flowing down of the gaming ball on a gaming board. Accordingly, the housing case can be provided at any position on the gaming board. Thereby, the gaming ball detection device can be used for a sensor for representation as well as for winning detection. For example, if the gaming ball detection device is provided at any position, where neither a winning device nor a game-starting accessory is provided and some representation is performed upon detection of gaming balls flowing down, this enables the representation to be performed at a position where the gaming ball conventionally just flowed down, and thereby interest of the gaming is improved.

Further, the present invention is the gaming machine, wherein the magnetic flux generation means and the magnetic flux detection means are provided in the same plane inside the housing case.

According to this configuration, the magnetic flux generation means and the magnetic flux detection means are provided in the same plane, and thereby magnetic force generated by the magnetic flux generation means can be effectively transmitted to the magnetic flux detection means. Therefore, the magnetic flux detection means can detect the change in magnetic flux certainly, whereby to detect passage of the gaming ball with accuracy.

Further, the present invention is the gaming machine, wherein the housing case houses a metal plate at a place inside the case, where a magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generation means flows to the magnetic flux detection means.

According to this configuration, magnetic force generated by the magnetic flux generation means is efficiently exerted to the magnetic flux detection means since the metal plate decreases magnetic resistance, which occurs while the magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generation means flows to the magnetic flux detection means. Therefore, the gaming ball passes through the magnetic field heightened by the metal plate and thereby the magnetic flux detection means more certainly can detect the change in magnetic flux. Therefore, passage of the gaming ball can be more accurately detected.

As thus described, the gaming machine of the present invention can miniaturize the housing case for housing the magnetic flux generation means and the magnetic flux detection means, and thereby production costs of the housing case can be reduced. The housing case does not prevent flow of the gaming ball on the gaming board. Accordingly, the housing case can be provided at any position on the gaming board. Thereby, such a gaming ball detection device can be used for a sensor for representation as well as for winning detection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of a pachinko gaming machine according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing a configuration of a transparent gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the configuration of the rear face of the transparent gaming board shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a structure of a winning ball collecting gutter assembly provided on the rear face of the transparent gaming board shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6(a) is a side view showing a structure of a passing ball sensor for use in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6(b) is a plan view showing the structure of the passing ball sensor for use in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6(c) is a perspective view showing the structure of the passing ball sensor for use in the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electronic circuit for processing and controlling the game operation of the pachinko gaming machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view showing mutual positional relationships between the housing case and the Hall element or the permanent magnet;

FIG. 9(a) is a side view showing a structure of a passing ball sensor for use in a pachinko gaming machine according to a modified example of the present invention;

FIG. 9(b) is a plan view showing the structure of the passing ball sensor for use in the pachinko gaming machine according to the modified example of the present invention;

FIG. 9(c) is a front view showing the structure of the passing ball sensor for use in the pachinko gaming machine according to the modified example of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a plane view showing a structure of a passing ball sensor for use in a pachinko gaming machine according to another modified example of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will, hereinafter, be described.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of a pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment. The pachinko gaming machine 10 comprises in the midsection of the front face thereof a transparent gaming board 12 where a pachinko game is played. A liquid crystal display device 13 c provided at the rear of the transparent gaming board 12 is transparently seen through the face of the transparent gaming board 12. Below the transparent gaming board 12, a tray unit 11 b including an upper tray 11 b ₁, and a lower tray 11 b ₂ is provided. A launching handle 1 is provided to the right of the lower tray 11 b ₂.

The midsection of the transparent gaming board 12 is providedy with a special symbol display section 12 a for visually identifying special symbols displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 c. A passing gate (not shown) is provided on either side of the special symbol display section 12 a. Further, the lower part of the transparent gaming board 12 is provided with a starting winning opening 12 b. When a pachinko ball as the gaming ball launched to the board face by the operation of the launching handle 1 enters the starting winning opening 12 b, special symbols are variably displayed in the special symbol display section 12 a of the liquid crystal display device 13 c to start a special symbol game. When the special symbols displayed in the special symbol display section 12 a are aligned in a predetermined combination for a big hit, a big hit winning is generated and a big hit game is thus played. Further, on either side of the starting winning opening 12 b, a regular winning opening 12 cis provided for disbursing a predetermined number of winning balls, for example ten winning balls, upon entry of the pachinko ball thereinto. The winning balls are disbursed to the upper tray 11 b ₁, of the tray unit 11 b, but disbursed to the lower tray 11 b ₂ when the upper tray 11 b ₁, is full. Moreover, below the starting winning opening 12 b provided is a special winning opening (attacker) 12 d, in which a door is opened and closed in the big hit game which is played when the big hit winning is generated. Below the special winning opening 12 d provided is an outlet 12 e which pachinko balls having entered none of the winning openings 12 b to 12 d enter.

The big hit game starts after the special symbols in a combination for the big hit winning are stopped and displayed at the end of the special symbol game. And for example, 15 rounds of games are played at the maximum, in each of which the special winning opening 12 d is kept open until a predetermined number of the pachinko balls, for example ten pachinko balls, enter the special winning opening 12 d, or until a predetermined time, for example 30 seconds, has passed. When the pachinko ball having entered the special winning opening 12 d enters a specific region called a V-zone provided inside the special winning opening 12 d during each round, the player can continue the game to the next round. However, when the pachinko ball having entered the special winning opening 12 d does not enter the V-zone during each round, the game state comes into so-called blown-out state, and then the big hit game is terminated, even before completion of the 15 rounds. During the big hit game, representation is provided by means of illumination of an illumination device 11 a provided above the face of the transparent gaming board 12.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko gaming machine 10. In this figure, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are shown by the same symbols as in FIG. 1 to omit the descriptions of those parts.

A middle frame 13 is fixed to the front face of a rectangular wooden frame 14 to constitute the pachinko gaming machine 10. The middle frame 13 constitutes a rear mechanism board positioned at the rear of the transparent gaming board 12, along with the liquid crystal display device 13 c to be fixed to the rear face of the middle frame 13. The middle frame 13 further comprises a below-described launching solenoid 13 d (see FIG. 7) for launching the pachinko ball, and other components. The middle frame 13 is pivotally supported on the left side of the wooden frame 14 so as to be opened and closed on the front face of the wooden frame 14. The transparent gaming board 12 is fixed to the midsection of the front face of the middle frame 13, and a pair of speakers 13 b, 13 b, from which sound effect and the like of the game is provided, are fixed to the upper part of the middle frame 13. Further, the foregoing launching handle 1 is fixed to the right lower part of the front face of the middle frame 13. The transparent gaming board 12 and the speakers 13 b, 13 b are covered with a glass door 11, and through the transparent glass part of the glass door 11, seen is the face of the transparent gaming board 12. The upper part of the glass door 11 is provided with the foregoing illumination device 11 a. The illumination device 11 a comprises an illumination LED (Light Emitting Diode) 11 a ₂, and a lens cover 11 a ₁, for covering the illumination LED 11 a ₂, to constitute a representation device for providing representation of the pachinko game. Moreover, the foregoing tray unit 11 b is fixed to the lower part of the middle frame 13.

To a rectangular opening in the midsection of the rear face of the middle frame 13, fixed is the liquid crystal display device 13 c so as to be opposed to the transparent gaming board 12. And a ball disbursement unit 15 a and a substrate case unit 15 b are further fixed so as to cover the liquid crystal display device 13 c from the rear thereof. The left side of the ball disbursement unit 15 a and the right side of the substrate case unit 15 b are pivotally supported on the middle frame 13, and the ball disbursement unit 15 aand the substrate case unit 15 b open in the form of double doors to expose the rear face of the liquid crystal display device 13 c. The liquid crystal display device 13 c provides representation display according to the game state or the like, on the front face, and displays special symbols in the special symbol display section 12 a as described above. The ball disbursement unit 15 a supplies pachinko balls, the number of which depends on a winning result, to the upper tray 11 b ₁, and the lower tray 11 b ₂. The substrate case unit 15 b houses a main control substrate 30, a sub-control substrate 40, a disbursement and launching control substrate 60 (see FIG. 7) and the like, as described below, for controlling the game operation, the representation display, the ball launching and the like.

FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing a configuration of the transparent gaming board 12. In this figure, the same or corresponding parts as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown by the same symbols as in FIGS. 1 and 2 to omit the descriptions of those parts.

The transparent gaming board 12 comprises a substantially circular game region 12A, and a substantially circular arc-shaped ball launching region 12B provided along the game region 12A from the left lower part of the game region 12A toward the slightly upper side of the midsection thereof. The game region 12A is provided with the foregoing winning openings 12 b to 12 d (not shown in this figure) and the like. The ball launching region 12B is a region for inducing the pachinko ball launched by the operation of the launching handle 1 into the game region 12A. The ball launching region 12B and the game region 12A are parted from each other with a return prevention member 12 f. This return prevention member 12 f serves to prevent the pachinko ball in the game region 12A from returning to the ball launching region 12B, and is formed of a plate body having elasticity.

FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the configuration of the rear face of the transparent gaming board 12. In FIG. 4, the same or corresponding parts as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown by the same symbols as in FIGS. 1 and 2 to omit the descriptions of those parts.

The midsection of the rear face of the transparent gaming board 12 is provided with a warp channel 12 i. A warp inlet (not shown) for inducing the pachinko ball to the warp channel 12 i is open to the front face of the transparent gaming board 12. The pachinko ball having entered the warp inlet disappears from the face of the transparent gaming board 12 and passes through the warp channel 12 i. Then, the pachinko ball exits from a warp outlet (not shown) to appear on the face of the transparent gaming board 12. The warp outlet is provided above the starting winning opening 12 b, and therefore the pachinko ball, which enters the warp inlet and exits from the warp outlet to the front face of the transparent gaming board 12 to flow down, easily enters the starting winning opening 12 b.

The lower part of the rear face of the transparent gaming board 12 is provided with a winning ball collecting gutter assembly 70 for collecting the pachinko balls having entered each of the foregoing winning openings 12 b to 12 d through each of the ball channels 70 a to 70 e. FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the structure of the winning ball collecting gutter assembly 70 shown in FIG. 4. Slots 71 to 74 shown in FIG. 5 and formed respectively in the ball channels 70 a to 70 e of the winning ball collecting gutter assembly 70, are each provided with a below-described passing ball sensor 100 (see FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c)) for detecting passage of the pachinko ball. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, hollow parts 75, 76 shown in FIG. 5 are provided with a starting winning opening solenoid 24 and a special winning opening solenoid 25 (see FIG. 7) respectively, as described below.

The right lower part of the rear face of the transparent gaming board 12 is provided with a main relay substrate 80 and a sub-relay substrate 90. The main relay substrate 80 relays each electric connection of the main control substrate 30 housed in the substrate case unit 15 b with each of the passing ball sensors 100 provided in the winning ball collecting gutter assembly 70, and the like. The sub-relay substrate 90 relays each electric connection of the sub-control substrate 40 housed in the substrate case unit 15 b with the illumination LED 11 a ₂, and the like.

The sub-relay substrate 90 is provided with a connector 91, to which the illumination LED 11 a ₂ controlled by a sub-control circuit configured on the sub-control substrate 40, is connected. The sub-relay substrate 90 is also provided with a connector 92 to which the sub-control substrate 40 is connected. The connector 91 and the illumination LED 11 a ₂ which is fixed to the upper edge of the transparent gaming board 12 are electrically connected to each other with a harness (not shown). Further, the sub-control substrate 40 and the connector 92 are also connected electrically to each other with a harness (not shown). The sub-relay substrate 90 is provided with a connector group besides the connectors 91, 92. To the connector group, connected are a variety of actuators and the like, the actuators being fixed to the transparent gaming board 12 controlled by the sub-control circuit.

The main relay substrate 80 is held on the rear face of the transparent gaming board 12 by a substrate holder 81. The main relay substrate 80 is provided with: below-described actuators controlled by a main control circuit configured on the main control substrate 30, such as a starting winning opening solenoid 24, a special winning opening solenoid 25, a V-zone induction device 34 (see FIG. 7); a connector to which a plurality of the passing ball sensors 100 provided on the foregoing ball channels 70 a to 70 e, and the like, are connected; and a connector 88 connected to the main control substrate 30. The main control substrate 30 and the connector 88 are also connected electrically to each other with a harness (not shown) as in the sub-control substrate 40 and the connector 92 described above.

Each of the winning openings 12 b to 12 d and the passing gate constitute the gaming member provided on the transparent gaming board 12. Each of the winning openings 12 b to 12 d and an opening region of the passing gate constitute the predetermined region of the gaming member.

FIG. 6(a) is a side view showing the structure of the foregoing passing ball sensor 100 comprising a magnetic sensor. FIG. 6(b) is a plan view thereof. FIG. 6(c) is a perspective view thereof.

Each of the passing ball sensor 100 is configured by comprising: in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing case 102, a Hall element 106 for causing a Hall effect as one of galvanomagnetic effects; a permanent magnet 107 for generating a static magnetic field; and a circuit substrate (not shown) on which a circuit for calculating a Hall voltage generated in the Hall element 106 is configured. The housing case 102 is provided on the foregoing gaming member. The Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are provided in the same plane inside the housing case 102 along a side face 102 a of the housing case 102 as indicated by dotted lines in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b). The Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are also housed side-by-side, facing the predetermined region of the gaming member. Moreover, the circuit substrate is provided with an input and output terminal, and through this input and output terminal, the circuit substrate and the main control substrate 30 (see FIG. 7) are electrically connected to each other with a connector provided on the main relay substrate 80. Moreover, a static magnetic field is generated by the permanent magnet 107 between the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107. And, as indicated by dotted lines in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), a metal plate 108 is provided at a place inside the housing case 102, where a magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107 flows to the Hall element 106. This metal plate 108 is made of a metal such as iron, having a large magnetic susceptibility.

The permanent magnet 107 constitutes the magnetic flux generation means for generating a magnetic flux. The Hall element 106 constitutes the magnetic flux detection means for detecting change in magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107. In the present embodiment, as indicated in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), the housing case 102 has a cut-out shape in which: during passage through the predetermined region of the gaming member, a body of the housing case 102 does not reach an extension of a line connecting a central point of the pachinko ball P with a central point of the permanent magnet 107, the central points being in the same plane in which the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are provided; and during passage through the predetermined region of the gaming member, the body of the housing case 102 does not reach an extension of a line connecting the central point of the pachinko ball P with a central point of the Hall element 106, the central points being in the same plane in which the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are provided.

When the pachinko ball P is not passing through the predetermined region of the gaming member along the side face 102 a, the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107 does not change, and the Hall voltage generated in the Hall element 106 also remains constant and does not change. At this time, a high-level detection signal is outputted from the passing ball sensor 100. On the other hand, when the pachinko ball P passes through the predetermined region of the gaming member adjacent to the side face 102 a as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6(a), the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107 changes according to the passage of the pachinko ball P. At this time, a low-level detection signal (ON signal) is outputted from the passing ball sensor 100.

The foregoing output of the passing ball sensor 100 is provided to a main CPU 31 (see FIG. 7) of the main control circuit. Passage of the pachinko ball P through the predetermined region of the gaming member is identified by the main CPU 31, based on the low-level detection signal outputted from the passing ball sensor 100. The passing ball sensor 100 constitutes the gaming ball detection device for detecting the pachinko ball P having passed through the predetermined region of the gaming member provided on the transparent gaming board 12.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an electronic circuit for processing and controlling the game operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10 according to the present embodiment. This electronic circuit includes a main control circuit provided on the main control substrate 30, a sub-control circuit provided on the sub-control substrate 40, and a disbursement and launching control circuit provided on a disbursement and launching control substrate 60, and the like. The main control circuit performs an electric control with regard to progress in pachinko game on the transparent gaming board 12, and a below-described electric control of the gaming machine on the transparent gaming board 12 and the like. The sub-control circuit performs an electric control of the representation device such as the illumination LED 11 a ₂, according to a command from the main control circuit. Further, the disbursement and launching control circuit controls disbursement of winning balls or the like and launching of the pachinko ball.

On the main control substrate 30, mounted are electronic components such as the main CPU 31, an initial reset circuit 32 and a serial communication IC 33. On the main control substrate 30, also mounted are a main ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) where a program is stored for use by the main CPU 31 in processing and controlling the game operation of the pachinko gaming machine 10, and a main RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown) where data is temporarily stored while the game operation is processed and controlled. The initial reset circuit 32 generates a reset signal for deleting contents of a gaming state stored in the main RAM at the time of activating the main control circuit, and for initiating a game process according to the program stored in the main ROM. Moreover, the serial communication IC 33 serially transmits a control signal received from the main CPU 31 to the control substrates 40 and 60.

To the main control substrate 30, connected are: a gate switch 20 s, provided on the inner side of the foregoing passing gate, for detecting passage of the pachinko ball P through the passing gate; and a starting winning ball sensor 21 s for detecting the pachinko ball P having entered the starting winning opening 12 b. To the main control substrate 30, also connected are: a count switch 22 s for detecting the pachinko ball P having entered the special winning opening 12 d; a V-count switch 22 v for detecting the pachinko ball P having passed through the V-zone inside the special winning opening 12 d; and a regular winning ball sensor 23 s for detecting the pachinko ball P having entered the regular winning opening 12 c. Each of these switches 20 s, 22 s and 22 v and each of the sensors 21 sand 23 s are comprised of the foregoing passing ball sensor 100. To the main control substrate 30, connected are, as actuators: a starting winning opening solenoid 24 for extending a ball receiving slot of the starting winning opening 12 b; a special winning opening solenoid 25 for opening and closing the door of the special winning opening 12 d; a V-zone induction device 34 for inducing the pachinko ball P out of the V-zone after the pachinko ball P has entered the V-zone inside the special winning opening 12 d; and the like.

Each of the switches 20 s, 22 s and 22 v, each of the sensors 21 s and 23 s, and each of the actuators 24, 25 and 34 constitute a gaming device for carrying out a pachinko game, and are connected to the main control substrate 30 through the main relay substrate 80. When the passing ball sensor 100, which constitutes each of the switches 20 s, 22 s and 22 v and each of the sensors 21 s and 23 s, detects the pachinko ball P, the detection signal is inputted into the main CPU 31 of the main control substrate 30 through the main relay substrate 80. The main CPU 31 drives and controls each of the actuators 24, 25 and 34 according to the inputted detection signal.

The sub-control substrate 40 is connected to the liquid crystal display device (LCD) 13 c, the speakers 13 b, 13 b, and the illumination LED 11 a ₂ through the sub-relay substrate 90. The sub-control substrate 40 performs: an image display control of displaying an image on the liquid crystal display device 13 c; a sound control of providing sound effect from the speakers 13 b, 13 b; and an illumination control of light emission of the illumination LED 11 a ₂ according to a gaming state. On this sub-control substrate 40, mounted are a sub-CPU 41, a program ROM 42 and a work RAM 43. The sub-CPU 41 translates a control command received from the main control substrate 30 and sets a parameter of a VDP (Video Display Processor) 44. In the program ROM-42, a control program is stored for use by the sub-CPU 41 in processing and controlling each operation of the liquid crystal display device 13 c, the speakers 13 b, 13 b and the illumination LED 11 a ₂. The work RAM 43 serves as a temporary storage means at the time when the sub-CPU 41 processes and controls the operations according to the above-mentioned control program.

Further, on the sub-control substrate 40, mounted are an image data ROM 45, a VDP 44 and an initial reset circuit 46. The image data ROM 45 stores dot data for forming an image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 c. The VDP 44 reads the dot data in the image data ROM 45 according to the parameter set in the sub-CPU 41, to produce image data to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 c. The initial reset circuit 46 generates a reset signal for resetting the sub-control circuit on the sub-control substrate 40.

When the pachinko ball P enters the starting winning opening 12 b to generate starting winning, the main CPU 31 determines whether or not the game is a big hit game. The sub-control circuit gets special symbols to be sequentially stopped and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 c in a mode corresponding to the result of the big hit game determination. When the game gets into a ready-to-win state where the right and left symbols are the same at the time of stoppage and display, a ready-to-win representation is provided by means of the special symbol and the image representation on the liquid crystal display device 13 c.

The speaker driving circuit comprises: a sound source IC 48 for generating an original signal of sound effect; a sound source data ROM 49 which is connected to the sound source IC 48 and stores the sound effect therein; an amplifier 50 for amplifying the original signal outputted from the sound source IC 48; and a volume change-over switch 51 for designating a volume output level of one volume level out of three volume levels. The speaker driving circuit controls the speakers 13 b, 13 b by means of a drive signal from the sub-CPU 41. A drive circuit 52 controls emission of the illumination LED 11 a ₂ according to the gaming state of the pachinko gaming machine 10 by means of a drive signal from the sub-CPU 41.

To the disbursement and launching control substrate 60, connected are: a disbursement device 61 for disbursing winning balls or the like and the launching solenoid 13 d driven according to the operation of the launching handle 1. The disbursement and launching control circuit configured on the disbursement and launching control substrate 60 drives and controls the disbursement device 61 according to a disbursement command signal outputted from the main control substrate 30 depending on entry of the pachinko ball P into each kind of the winning openings to disburse winning balls, while drive-controlling the launching solenoid 13 d according to the operation of the launching handle 1 by the player to launch the pachinko ball P to the game region 12A.

In the above configuration, when the pachinko balls P having been launched to the game region 12A by the operation of the launching handle 1 enters the opening region of each of the winning openings 12 b to 12 d, the pachinko balls P pass near the side face 102 a of the passing ball sensor 100 provided in each of the slots 71 to 74 while being collected during the passage through the ball channels 70 a to 70 e. Further, upon passage of the pachinko ball P having been launched to the game region 12A through the passing gate, the pachinko ball P passes near the side face 102 a of the passing ball sensor 100 provided in the opening region of the passing gate. At this time, the passing ball sensor 100 outputs a low-level detection signal. When receiving the low-level detection signal, the main CPU 31 determines that the pachinko ball P has passed the predetermined region of the gaming member, to perform the process for disbursing the pachinko ball P according to the winning opening that the pachinko ball P entered or the passing gate through which the pachinko ball P passed.

According to the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the present embodiment, as thus described, the housing case 102 has the predetermined region through which the pachinko ball P passes. The predetermined region is formed to have a through-hole with a cut-out shape, the through-hole having been formed surrounding the pachinko ball P, as indicated in FIG. 6. Therefore, positions, at which the permanent magnet 107 and the Hall element 106 are provided, are not limited to conventional positions, where they face each other, and thereby the housing case 102 can be miniaturized. Such a miniaturization of the housing case 102 reduces production costs of the housing case 102. The housing case 102 has fewer projections because of its cut-out shape, whereby not to interfere with flowing down of the pachinko ball P on the transparent gaming board 12. Accordingly, the housing case 102 can be provided at any position on the transparent gaming board 12. Thereby, the passing ball sensor 100 can be used for a sensor for representation as well as for winning detection. For example, if the passing ball sensor 100 is provided at any position of the transparent gaming board 12, where neither a winning device nor a game-starting accessory is provided on the warp inlet or the warp outlet and some representation is performed upon detection of the pachinko ball P flowing down, interest of the gaming can be improved since representation can be performed at a position where the pachinko ball P conventionally simply flowed down.

Further, in the present embodiment, the permanent magnet 107 and the Hall element 106 are provided in the same plane, and thereby magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet 107 can be effectively transmitted to the Hall element 106. Therefore, the Hall element 106 can detect the change in magnetic flux certainly, whereby to detect passage of the pachinko ball P with accuracy.

Further in the present embodiment, since the metal plate 108 decreases magnetic resistance, which occurs while the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107 flows to the Hall element 106, magnetic force generated by the permanent magnet 107 is allowed to be exerted to the Hall element 106 more efficiently. Therefore, the pachinko ball P passes the magnetic field heightened by the metal plate 108 and thereby the Hall element 106 more certainly detects the change in magnetic flux. Therefore, passage of the pachinko ball P can be more accurately detected.

The above embodiment describes the case where the passing ball sensor 100 is used, the passing ball sensor 100 being provided with a housing case 102 having the incurved side face 102 a as indicated in FIG. 6, but this invention is not limited to the embodiment. The shape of the housing case is appropriately changeable so long as the housing case has the foregoing cut-out shape in which: a body of the housing case does not reach an extension of a line connecting a central point of the permanent magnet 107 with a central point of the passing pachinko ball P; and the body of the housing case does not reach an extension of a line connecting a central point of the Hall element 106 with the central point of the passing pachinko ball P.

If the body of the housing case has a rectangular parallelepiped shape like a housing case 112 as indicated in FIG. 8(a), for example, central positions of the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 can be arranged at positions a1, a2 indicated by FIG. 8 (a). In this case, the body of the housing case does not exist on the extension of extension lines L1, each connecting the positions a1, a2 with a center Pg of the pachinko ball P passing through the predetermined region. Therefore, the housing case 112 is referred to as a cut-out shape, in which the body of the housing case does not reach an extension of the extension lines L1 connecting each of the central points of the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 with the central point of the pachinko ball P. Moreover, even if the central positions of the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are arranged at positions a3, a4 and projection parts into which the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 arranged at positions a3, a4, are formed on both sides of the body of the housing case, the housing case is referred to as a cut-out shape in which the body of the housing case does not reach an extension of the extension lines L2 connecting each of the central points of the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 with the central point of the pachinko ball P.

If the central positions of the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are arranged at positions b1, b2 indicated in FIG. 8(b), there exists the body of the housing case on the extension of extension lines L3, each connecting the positions b1, b2 with a center Pg of the pachinko ball P passing through the predetermined region. Therefore, it turns out that the housing case 112 does not have a cut-out shape in which the body of the housing case does not reach an extension of the extension lines L3 connecting each of the central points of the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 with the central point of the pachinko ball P.

FIGS. 9(a) to 9(c) are views each showing a structure of a passing ball sensor 110 having a rectangular parallelepiped housing case 112 formed with a flat side face 112 a. The housing case 112 is provided with the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 arranged at positions a1, a2 indicated in FIG. 8(a). FIG. 9(a) is a side view thereof. FIG. 9(b) is a plane view thereof. FIG. 9(c) is a front view thereof. In this figure, the same parts as in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) are shown by the same or corresponding symbols as in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) to omit the descriptions of those parts.

The Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are provided in the same plane inside the housing case 112 along a linearly-shaped side face 112 a as indicated by dotted lines in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b). The Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are also housed side-by-side, facing the predetermined region of the gaming member. Moreover, a static magnetic field is generated by the permanent magnet 107 between the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107, as in the foregoing embodiment. And, as indicated by dotted lines in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the metal plate 108 is provided at a place inside the housing case 112, where a magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107 flows to the Hall element 106.

FIG. 10 is a plane view showing a structure of a passing ball sensor 120 provided with a housing case 122 having central positions of the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 arranged within the position range indicated in the above FIG. 8(a), and both ends of a side face 122 a projecting with different projection amounts.

The Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are provided in the same plane inside the housing case 122 along the crescent-curved side face 122 a as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 10. The Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are also housed side-by-side, facing the predetermined region of the gaming member. According to this configuration, the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are arranged in a state in which both means are provided with angles more than that in the foregoing embodiment. Moreover, a static magnetic field is generated by the permanent magnet 107 between the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107. And, as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 10, the metal plate 108 is provided at a place inside the housing case 122, where a magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107 flows up to the Hall element 106.

The same functional effects as in the foregoing embodiment are exhibited even if each of the foregoing passing ball sensors 110, 120 indicated in FIGS. 9 and 10 is provided at the predetermined region of the gaming member or any position of the transparent gaming board 12.

The above embodiment describes the case where the Hall element is used as the element that causes the galvanomagnetic effect, but the magnetoresistive element also may be used in place of the Hall element.

According to this configuration, passage of the pachinko ball P through the predetermined region of the gaming member generates a change in magnetic field, in the static magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet 107. This change in magnetic field generates a change in magnetoresistive effect generated as the galvanomagnetic effect inside the magnetoresistive element. And the main CPU 31 detects the change in magnetoresistive effect to identify the passage of the pachinko ball P through the predetermined region of the gaming member.

Further, the above embodiment describes the case where the permanent magnet 107 is used as the magnetic field generation means, but the magnetic field generation means is appropriately changeable so long as the means generates the static magnetic field.

Further, the above embodiment describes the case where the metal plate 108 was provided at a place where the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107 flows to the Hall element 106, but a configuration without the metal plate 108 may be also adopted. Further, the above embodiment describes the case where the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are provided in the same plane along the side face 102 a of the housing case 102. However, the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 may be arranged at a position inside the Hall element 106 where the Hall effect is caused by the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet 107, and therefore the arrangement positions of the Hall element 106 and the permanent magnet 107 are appropriately changeable.

The above embodiment describes the case where the gaming machine according to the present invention is applied to a pachinko gaming machine, but it is also possible to apply the present invention to another gaming machine comprising a gaming ball detection device for detecting a gaming ball having passed through a predetermined region of a gaming member. Also in the case of applying the present invention to such a gaming machine, a similar functional effect to that of the above embodiment is exerted. 

1. A gaming machine comprising a gaming ball detection device for detecting a gaming ball having passed through a predetermined region of a gaming member provided on a gaming board, said gaming ball detection device comprising: magnetic flux generation means for generating a magnetic flux; and magnetic flux detection means for detecting a change in magnetic flux generated by the magnetic flux generation means, wherein said gaming member has a housing case in which said magnetic flux generation means and said magnetic flux detection means are housed side-by-side, facing said predetermined region, and said housing case is formed to have a cut-out shape in which a body of the housing case does not reach an extension of a line connecting a central point of said magnetic flux generation means with a central point of the gaming ball passing through said predetermined region, and the body of the housing case does not reach an extension of a line connecting a central point of said magnetic flux detection means with the central point of the gaming ball passing through said predetermined region.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said magnetic flux generation means and said magnetic flux detection means are provided in the same plane inside said housing case.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said housing case houses a metal plate at a place inside the case, where a magnetic flux generated by said magnetic flux generation means flows to said magnetic flux detection means. 